Open Adoption

I know it has been a few days, but here is the last in the series about the three types of adoption.  Just a refresher, there are three types of adoption, Closed, Semi-Open and Open. 

Open Adoption is a relatively new concept.  For a long time adoption was very secretive and little to no information was exchanged between birth parents and adoptive families.  Over time we have learned that the lack of information does more harm than good.

An open adoption allows birthparents and adoptive families to exchange information openly and freely.  They often do this without the help of the adoption agency.  There can be face to face meeting, such as holidays, birthdays, trips to the park, etc.  There can be phone calls, emails, or letters exchanged between the two.  Open adoption also allow for birth grandparents to be involved in the child’s life.  It would take a lot of love, communication and cooperation to make an open adoption work.  But they are coming more and more common.  Brett and I are open to any open adoption, we will have to pray and seek the Lord’s guidance to see if this would be right for our family.

Here is what Bethany says in their adoption guide:

In an open adoption, children grow up knowing that they are loved by all of their family members: the parents who adopted them and the parents who gave them life.  Relationships that are open or have some degree of openness seem to give adoptive parents the best opportunity to answer their children’s questions most effectively and to share their children’s stories.  Parents and children involved in an open adoption communicate directly, without a third party. This plan allows both families to nurture their relationships as they naturally develop. Information is shared easily, questions are answered fully, and there is a greater understanding of the child’s history. We have found that children thrive when they have honest and accurate information about their birth and adoption stories.

Common elements:

•           The expectant parents meet prospective adoptive parents to confirm their selection.

•           The birth and adoptive families fully disclose identifying information.

•           There is usually ongoing contact during the pregnancy and birth as families build their relationship and develop trust with each other.

•           After placement, there is direct contact between families in person or by telephone, e-mail, or letters.

•           There is direct and ongoing contact between birth and adoptive families as the child grows up.